DC | Notre Dame Safety Commit Taebron Bennie-Powell Will Showcase Talent

Add Tyler Huls to the list of people in a position to know who are expecting big things from Taebron Bennie-Powell‍ this fall and beyond.

After playing out of position at linebacker as a junior at Lakota West High School, Bennie-Powell will be back at his natural position of safety this season.

And like head coach Tom Bolden, Huls, the defensive coordinator at Lakota West, is excited for Bennie-Powell to show what he can do.

“He didn't get to showcase his abilities from there as much as I think he'll be able to this year from the safety position,” says Huls. “He's very gifted when it comes to his athletic ability. He's a very fast, strong kid. He's a tough kid.”

Bennie-Powell committed to Notre Dame last month after earning an offer from the Irish following an Evaluation Camp.

“He's a smart kid,” Huls continues. “We threw him into a new position and it was his first year at our school and we do quite a bit defensively. It took him a minute, but he picked it up.

“This year, I think he's going to excel because he's back at the safety position. He knows the defense now. You can tell he's just much more comfortable at the safety position, being a little bit farther away from the ball so he can read and then use his athletic ability to make a decision and just go.”

Last season, Bennie-Powell found himself down in the box often and while he has the ability to do that, the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder’s strengths are better suited for playing in space.

“I just think moving him back and giving him the ability to see things from a little bit farther back is going to help him,” Huls says. “I mean he's extremely fast.

“He's very explosive and I think getting down there and jamming a tight end is not his cup of tea. He's a big kid, but he's not as big as some of those dudes we were going against last year. I just think he's more comfortable. It gives him some time to process and then he's so athletic, his closing speed is tremendous.”

Off the field, Huls believes Bennie-Powell will be a great fit in South Bend.

“Great kid,” the coach says. “He's a quiet kid. It took me a little bit last year being his first year with us to get him to open up a little bit. He's pretty reserved, quiet, but he's smart. I think he's in Honors classes. He leads by example. He is not real vocal on the football field, but he works hard. He does what he is supposed to do at all times. I don't think he's out running around with a bunch of guys. He's just pretty low key to be honest.”

Bennie-Powell is an active member of Lakota West’s Hope Squad, a student-led group dedicated to helping peers dealing with mental health issues.

“I know he is a big part of that,” says Huls. “Once a month, he has to miss about 30 minutes of practice because he is involved with that.

“He's a tremendous kid. You never see him get too mad and you never seen him get real low. He's just kind of even-keeled, goes with the flow.”

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